Use the built-in slow-motion feature during recording

The easiest way to create slow-motion video on your iPhone is to record it that way from the start. Open the Camera app, swipe left until you see "Slo-Mo" (or "Slow Motion"), then record your video normally. Your iPhone captures the footage at a higher frame rate — typically 120 or 240 frames per second depending on your model — which lets you play it back at half or quarter speed while keeping it smooth.

When you finish recording, the video automatically saves with slow-motion applied to the entire clip. You can watch it when ready in your Photos app. If you want to adjust which parts play slowly and which play at normal speed, open the video in the Photos app, tap Edit, then tap the slow-motion icon (it looks like a speedometer). Drag the handles at the bottom to set where the slow-motion effect starts and stops.

Key Takeaways

  • Record in Slo-Mo mode from the Camera app to capture video at a higher frame rate that plays back smoothly when slowed down.
  • Edit which sections of your video play in slow motion by opening the video in Photos, tapping Edit, then adjusting the slow-motion range.
  • Use third-party apps like iMovie or Adobe Premiere Rush if you need to slow down video you already recorded in normal speed.
  • Slower playback speeds (like 0.5x) work better with video shot at 60 fps or higher; footage shot at 24 or 30 fps will look choppy when slowed down.

Slow down existing video with iMovie

If you have video already recorded at normal speed and want to slow it down, iMovie is built into every iPhone and works without extra cost. Open iMovie, tap the plus icon, select Movie, then choose the video from your Photos library. Tap the video in the timeline at the bottom to select it.

Tap the speed icon (it looks like a speedometer or clock) at the top of the screen. A slider appears showing speed options from 0.25x (one-quarter speed) to 2x (double speed). Drag the slider left to slow the video down. You can explore different speeds to different sections by splitting the video — tap where you want to split, then adjust each section independently. When you finish, tap Done, then tap the share icon to save your edited video back to Photos.

Use Adobe Premiere Rush for more control

Adobe Premiere Rush offers more detailed speed control than iMovie if you need it. The app is free to read but requires an Adobe account (you can use a free Adobe ID). Open Premiere Rush, create a new project, and import your video from your Photos library.

Tap the video in the timeline, then tap the speed icon at the bottom. You can set a custom speed by typing a percentage — for example, 50 for half speed or 25 for quarter speed. Like iMovie, you can split the video and explore different speeds to different sections. Premiere Rush also lets you add effects, adjust color, and trim clips, so it works well if you want to do more than just change speed. Export your finished video by tapping the share icon.

Understand frame rate and why it matters for slow motion

Video shot at 60 frames per second (fps) or higher looks smooth when you slow it down. Video shot at 24 or 30 fps will look choppy and stuttering when slowed to half speed or slower, because the app has to guess what happens between frames. Most iPhones record at 30 fps by default, which is fine for normal playback but not ideal for slow motion.

To record at 60 fps, open Settings, go to Camera, then Video Recording, and select 60 fps. This uses more storage space but gives you better results if you plan to slow the video down later. The Slo-Mo mode on your Camera app already records at 120 or 240 fps, so video recorded that way will always look smooth no matter how much you slow it down.

Export and share your slow-motion video

Once you finish editing, you need to save the video back to your phone or send it somewhere. In iMovie or Premiere Rush, tap the share or export button. You can save it to your Photos app (which stores it on your phone), send it to Messages or Mail, upload it to YouTube, or share it to social media like Instagram or TikTok.

Slow-motion video takes up more storage space than normal video because it contains more frames. A one-minute slow-motion clip shot at 120 fps might be 500 MB or larger, depending on resolution. If your phone is running low on storage, delete the original video after you export the edited version, or move videos to iCloud to free up space.

Troubleshooting common slow-motion problems

If your slow-motion video looks choppy or stuttering, the original footage was likely shot at too low a frame rate. Re-record it at 60 fps or higher, or use the Slo-Mo mode on your Camera app instead. If the video won't slow down in iMovie or Premiere Rush, make sure you selected the video in the timeline before tapping the speed icon — the speed control only works on selected clips.

If you recorded in Slo-Mo mode but want the entire video to play at normal speed instead, open it in Photos, tap Edit, tap the slow-motion icon, and drag both handles to the very end of the timeline. This removes the slow-motion effect. If iMovie or Premiere Rush crashes when you try to edit a large video file, try restarting your phone or splitting the video into shorter clips before importing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I slow down a video I recorded months ago?

Yes. Open the video in Photos, tap Edit, then tap the slow-motion icon if it was recorded in Slo-Mo mode. If it was recorded in normal mode, use iMovie or Premiere Rush to adjust the speed. The original video stays unchanged; the app creates a new version with the speed adjustment.

What's the difference between Slo-Mo and normal video slowed down in editing?

Slo-Mo mode records at 120 or 240 fps, so when you slow it down, the app has many frames to work with and the result looks smooth. Normal video recorded at 30 fps has fewer frames, so slowing it down makes it look choppy. Always use Slo-Mo mode if you know you want slow motion.

Does slowing down video reduce the quality?

No. Slowing down video does not reduce quality — it just plays the same frames more slowly. The resolution and clarity stay the same. However, if the original video was shot at a low frame rate, slowing it down will reveal that choppiness.

Can I speed up video the same way I slow it down?

Yes. In iMovie or Premiere Rush, drag the speed slider to the right instead of left. You can speed video up to 2x (double speed) in iMovie. This is useful for time-lapse effects or condensing long clips.

Will my slow-motion video play slowly on other phones and computers?

Yes. Once you export the edited video, it plays at the speed you set on any device. The slow-motion effect is baked into the file itself, not a setting that only works on iPhones.